Indianapolis 500 Format Changing

The Indianapolis 500 is passing on tradition this year.

For the first time, two races will be held the last weekend of May. And a new qualifying format is likely to change everything from pole strategy to solidifying starting spots.

Welcome to Indy of the 21st century.

“I think it’s going to bring a lot more excitement, because we’ll be going all day instead of waiting and waiting and waiting,” said Darren Manning, an English driver on the Target Chip Ganassi team.

In past years, the tension mounted as cars were limited to just three qualifying attempts and owners tried everything -- including pulling a car out of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway museum -- to make the race. Drivers routinely waited hours for the track to cool and the tricky winds to calm down before making a late run at the pole.

But as the number of entries has decreased, so has the suspense of drivers bumping each other from the field. Race organizers needed a way to reignite interest in the Indy Racing League’s most prestigious event.

They believe they have a solution.

When qualifying for the May 29 race begins next weekend, drivers will be allowed up to three attempts on each of four qualifying days -- as many as 12 attempts overall -- to make the 33-car field.

The top 11 spots will be qualified on the first day; the next 11 on the second and the rest of the field on the third -- allowing for bumping each day.

Then, on the fourth day, any driver who turns in a faster time than anyone on the field bumps the slowest qualifier and automatically claims the 33rd spot.

They’ve also moved the Infiniti Pro Series race, the Freedom Futaba 100, back one week to the Friday of race week, and switched Carb Day from Thursday to Friday of race week. That gives corporate sponsors an entire weekend of wining and dining events.

“We’ve had a lot of great reaction from the sponsors, because now they feel like they can bring people in for activities all of race weekend,” speedway president Joie Chitwood said. “It fits better with their goals.”

Speedway officials hope fans embrace the changes, too.

Since 1996, when the IRL and CART split, crowds have dwindled throughout the month, culminating in last year’s failure to sell out the rain-plagued race.